‘Dolittle’ gets new doc

Legendary B'way star makes housecall

Producers announced that Tommy Tune will direct and star in the resuscitated national touring production of tuner “Dr. Dolittle.” Performances begin Jan. 17 at the Hobby Center in Houston.

An earlier version of “Dolittle,” starring Tom Hewitt, shuttered Oct. 2 in Hershey, Penn., due to weak sales, although the show had been booked through the summer (Daily Variety, Oct. 12). Before restarting, the producers — including Nederlander Presentations and Pittsburgh CLO — had to contend with the Actors’ Equity rule stating that a production, once closed, must wait six weeks before reopening for rehearsals or performances.

Tune’s involvement in “Dolittle” has been an open secret in legit circles for the past several weeks. No other casting has been officially announced, but Dee Hoty, who was directed by Tune in “The Will Rogers Follies” and “The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public,” likely will co-star.